Coups, Constitutions and Us

Its been interesting over recent days in Fiji following the process of constitutional reform. Fascinating in fact to see participants in past coups and other constitutional disputes make public presentations on their past experience and current views. In many respects it is a mature and responsible debate, though fraught with potential for instability as much as progress.

It is no business of mine to take sides nor even to frame the choices. I simply observe a process which is and will take courage and judgement to produce an outcome for citizens of Fiji which moves the country forward. I admire that and it has made me reflect with hope that it succeeds.

My reflections are about Aotearoa/NZ. It seems remarkable to me that in our media and other public discourse there has been so little attention paid to this vital constitutional process in an important neighbour. Many of the issues, for example about indigeneity and other populations are relevant. Not the same, but relevant. And in all of the talk about regional security and alliances, ignoring one of the major Oceanic players going through this process seems odd. It matters to us and we should be able to reflect on and learn from it, not ignore it or dismiss it from haughty distance.

Not just as a matter of geo-politics or regional security, nor even matters of crime and drugs, not even trade and investment such as it is, nor the many tourism or education or labour market links, but the many direct family linkages between us should tell us that it matters. The outcomes of this process certainly merit more of our attention than the antics of Count Binface in Clacton.

Aotearoa/NZ has its own constitutional issues and uncertainties so we should not think we are all that distant from those of our neighbours.